Kyrgyzstan’s Cherry Suppliers Seek Bigger Market Share in China

According to a news report from the Kyrgyz National News Agency Kabar, Kyrgyzstan’s official news agency, an online meeting was recently held between Kyrgyzstani cherry suppliers and representatives from Guangzhou Jiangnan Food Supply Chain Co. Ltd. to explore opportunities for exporting cherries to the Chinese market.

Fresh Kyrgyzstani cherries officially gained access to the Chinese market in 2015, with China’s General Administration of Customs stipulating that the cherries undergo either cold treatment or fumigation prior to shipment. Approved cold treatment regimens include a core temperature of 1 degree Celsius or below for at least 16 days or 2.1 degrees Celsius or below for at least 21 days.

In 2016, China imported 78 metric tons of fresh cherries from Kyrgyzstan. The import volume peaked at 171.6 metric tons in 2019. However, in 2022, cherry imports from Kyrgyzstan into China were suspended owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first 10 months of 2024, Kyrgyzstan exported only 16.5 metric tons of fresh cherries to China.

From November to March, fresh cherries on the Chinese market primarily originate from Southern Hemisphere countries such as Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. From May to September, the main sources of imported cherries are the United States and Canada. In recent years, however, the volume of cherries exported from the United States to China has declined sharply. Located in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan’s cherry harvest season spans from May to October, and the country is keen to further explore opportunities on the Chinese market.

During the online meeting, suppliers from various cherry-producing regions of Kyrgyzstan introduced their varieties, production volumes and export capabilities. The discussion also covered the logistics and supply chain requirements for exporting cherries, with Guangzhou Jiangnan Food Supply Chain Co. Ltd. emphasizing the importance of ensuring timely delivery.

Both parties have expressed a willingness to engage in further negotiations. Kyrgyzstani cherry suppliers will send product catalogs alongside pricing and supply volume details to the Chinese company, while the latter will prepare for trial shipments after evaluation.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.